First Aid At Work (3-Day)

Course Overview

First Aid at Work is the qualification that takes a designated first aider from aware to genuinely ready. Over three focused, practical days, learners develop the knowledge, clinical understanding, and hands-on competence to respond to the full range of workplace emergencies, not just the common ones, but the serious ones too. The ones that escalate quickly require clear thinking under pressure, and the outcome depends on whether the right person was in the right place with the right training.

The difference between a one-day emergency first aid course and a three-day First Aid at Work qualification is not just time. It is depth. The full FAW covers a significantly wider range of conditions, requires demonstrated competency across every element, and builds the kind of confident, structured decision-making that only comes from sustained practical learning over multiple days.

That depth matters in real emergencies. One of our learners used their training to recognise the signs of hypoglycaemia in a colleague at work. They understood what was happening, knew what to do, and acted immediately. Their colleague survived because of it. That is not what happened because someone passed a one-day awareness course. That is what happened because their trainer made sure they genuinely understood the content, and because the qualification gave them the breadth of knowledge to recognise a medical emergency that many people mistake for something else entirely.

This course meets the requirements of the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the HSE Approved Code of Practice L74 for higher-risk workplaces where a full first aid at work qualification is the appropriate outcome of a first aid needs assessment. It reflects the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines.

For organisations that need the qualification but want more flexibility in delivery, we also offer a blended learning option combining one day of guided online theory with two days of face-to-face practical training.

Course Details

Duration: 3 days (18 guided learning hours)
Delivery: In-person at your venue. Face-to-face only for the standard course
Blended option: 1 day online theory plus 2 days face-to-face practical. See our First Aid at Work Blended course
Certificate: Accredited First Aid at Work certificate
Awarding organisations: Worksafe, FAIB. Nuco and Highfield are available on request
Validity: 3 years. Annual refresher strongly recommended
Group size: Up to 12 learners per trainer

Who This Course Is For

This course is right for any organisation where a first aid needs assessment has identified that a full First Aid at Work qualification is required, including:

Construction, manufacturing, engineering, and logistics environments where the risk profile and injury potential demand a higher level of first aid competence
Schools, colleges, and nurseries
Care providers and healthcare settings
Warehousing and distribution centres
Hospitality, leisure, and large event environments
Any organisation where risk assessment identifies the need for fully qualified first aiders rather than appointed persons or emergency first aiders

If you are unsure whether your workplace needs EFAW or FAW, our EFAW vs FAW guide and Workplace First Aid UK Guide cover the decision in detail. We are also happy to advise during the enquiry process.

Why First Aid at Work (FAW) Training Matters

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, every employer has a legal duty to make adequate and appropriate first aid provision for their employees. The HSE Approved Code of Practice L74 sets out how that duty is met, beginning with a first aid needs assessment that determines the level of provision appropriate for each workplace. For higher-risk environments, larger workforces, or settings with significant physical hazards, that assessment will, in most cases, identify the need for fully qualified first aiders holding the FAW qualification.

The Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines represent the most current international evidence on basic life support, defibrillation, and first aid. Every element of this course is built around them. In a higher-risk workplace where serious incidents can happen quickly, and emergency services may take several minutes to arrive, a trained first aider who acts immediately is the single most significant factor in the outcome.

In a real working environment, the emergencies are more varied and often less dramatic in presentation. A colleague who is behaving strangely because their blood glucose has dropped dangerously. A worker who has had a crush injury and is showing signs of shock that will worsen rapidly without intervention. A person who has taken something they should not have, or who is having a seizure for the first time. The First Aid at Work qualification prepares first aiders for all of these, not just the most visible emergencies. That breadth is what distinguishes the three-day course from a shorter qualification, and it is what saves lives in the situations that do not announce themselves clearly.

The HSE is also clear that online-only first aid training does not meet the legal requirement. Practical competencies must be physically assessed. A certificate produced by an online-only provider is not a valid FAW qualification. We have addressed this in detail in our blog: Why Online-Only First Aid Training Is Not Compliant for Workplaces.

Do You Need FAW or EFAW?

Before booking, employers must carry out a first aid needs assessment. This is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, and it determines which level of qualification is appropriate for your workplace.

FAW is appropriate for higher-risk environments, larger workforces, and settings where the hazard profile demands a higher level of competence. EFAW is appropriate for lower to medium-risk environments with smaller workforces.

Our Workplace First Aid UK Guide is a detailed free resource for decision-makers covering needs assessments, qualification levels, and legal obligations. Our EFAW vs FAW comparison covers the specific differences between the two qualifications. And you can read about how to verify a first aid training provider before booking with anyone.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the course, learners will be able to:

Conduct a structured primary survey and systematically assess a casualty in line with Resuscitation Council UK 2025 guidelines
Manage an unresponsive casualty, including airway management and recovery position
Perform adult CPR to the current standard, including correct rate, depth, and compression-to-breath ratio
Use an Automated External Defibrillator safely and confidently, including correct pad placement
Recognise the difference between cardiac arrest and heart attack and respond appropriately to each
Manage choking in adults
Control severe and catastrophic bleeding and manage shock
Provide first aid for burns, scalds, and eye injuries
Assess and manage fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries
Recognise and respond to head, spinal, and chest injuries
Respond to seizures, asthma attacks, and diabetic emergencies, including hypoglycaemia
Recognise the signs of stroke and anaphylaxis and respond appropriately
Manage poisoning and minor injuries
Record and report incidents accurately, including awareness of RIDDOR reporting obligations
Understand the legal role and responsibilities of a designated workplace first aider

Course Content

Every course is tailored to include industry-specific scenarios and your organisation’s reporting systems as standard. Topics covered across the three days include:

The role, responsibilities, and legal duties of a workplace first aider
Incident management, scene safety, and dynamic risk assessment
Primary survey and recovery position
Adult CPR and AED use, including correct pad placement
Choking: partial and complete obstruction
Wounds, bleeding, and wound management, including severe haemorrhage
Shock: recognition and first aid management
Burns, scalds, and eye injuries
Minor injuries, including cuts, grazes, and splinters
Fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries
Head and spinal injuries
Chest injuries
Seizures
Asthma attacks
Diabetic emergencies, including hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia
Heart attack and stroke
Anaphylaxis awareness
Poisoning
Accident reporting and RIDDOR awareness
Continuous practical assessment throughout all three days
Written multiple-choice assessment on day three

The Blended Learning Option

For organisations that need the full First Aid at Work qualification but want greater flexibility in how it is delivered, we offer a blended learning route.

The blended course combines one day of guided online theory, completed at the learner’s own pace before attending, with two days of face-to-face practical training and assessment. The qualification and certification are identical to the standard three-day course.

For full details, visit our First Aid at Work Blended course page.

How the Course Is Delivered

The standard First Aid at Work course is delivered face-to-face over three consecutive days. The practical elements, including continuous assessment of CPR, AED use, casualty management, and clinical decision-making under scenario conditions, cannot be replicated online and are not attempted remotely.

Sessions are practical, scenario-based, and structured around continuous assessment throughout all three days. Groups are capped at 12 learners to ensure every learner receives sufficient hands-on time, individual feedback, and meaningful practice across the full range of content.

Every scenario and discussion is tailored to your working environment, your industry risks, and your internal reporting procedures.

Delivery includes:

Practical demonstrations and supervised hands-on practice across all three days
Scenario-based learning covering the full range of serious workplace emergencies
Realistic casualty simulations building decision-making under pressure
Guided discussion of the clinical reasoning behind first aid actions, not just technique
Written multiple-choice assessment on day three
Continuous competency-based practical assessment throughout
Time for questions, because three days of first aid training consistently generates them

Certification and Validity

On successful completion of both the written and practical assessments, learners receive an accredited First Aid at Work certificate valid for 3 years, delivered through Worksafe or FAIB. Nuco and Highfield are available on request.

Annual refresher training is strongly recommended by the HSE to maintain practical confidence and skill retention between full qualification cycles. Our Basic Life Support and AED Training course provides a focused annual skills update for FAW-qualified staff.

In-House and Bespoke Training

Every FAW course we deliver is built around your organisation, not a generic template.

We can tailor delivery to include:

Workplace-specific scenarios reflecting the real hazards and emergencies most relevant to your sector
Your internal accident reporting systems and how they align with RIDDOR obligations
Industry-specific injury focus, including the conditions and presentations most common in your environment
Integration with your health and safety policy and emergency response documentation
Combined delivery with Basic Life Support and AED Training for organisations building annual refresher provision alongside the three-year qualification cycle

We also provide guidance during the enquiry process to help organisations determine whether FAW, EFAW, or a combination of both is the right provision for their workforce.

Course Location and Service Areas

We deliver in-house training at your workplace or chosen venue across Manchester, Greater Manchester, and the wider North West. We also deliver nationally across England, including North England, South England, London, and Surrey.

All sessions are led by experienced Prima Cura Training instructors. Group sizes are capped at 12 per trainer to protect the quality of hands-on assessment and individual feedback across all three days. Every trainer holds an Enhanced DBS certificate.

FAQs

How do I know whether my workplace needs FAW or EFAW?

That depends on the outcome of your first aid needs assessment, which is a legal requirement before appointing workplace first aiders. FAW is appropriate for higher-risk environments, larger workforces, and settings where the hazard profile demands greater competence and a wider clinical range. EFAW is appropriate for lower to medium-risk environments. Our EFAW vs FAW guide covers this in detail, and we are happy to advise during the enquiry process.

Is there a written exam?

Yes. Assessment combines a written multiple-choice exam on day three with continuous competency-based practical assessment across all three days. The written element tests knowledge and understanding of first aid principles and current guidelines. The practical assessment evaluates technique, decision-making, and response to scenarios throughout the course. Both elements must be passed for the certificate to be awarded.

What happens if a learner does not pass the first time?

We support every learner throughout the course. If a learner does not meet the required standard in a particular element, we work with them throughout the three days to build their confidence and correct technique before formal assessment. Where reassessment is needed, this is handled in line with awarding body standards. We will discuss the options with you openly rather than simply issuing a fail.

Is this course HSE-approved and accredited?

The HSE does not approve or accredit individual first aid courses or training providers, and any provider claiming HSE approval should be treated with caution. What the HSE does is set the standards that workplace first aid training must meet through the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Approved Code of Practice L74. Responsibility for ensuring training meets those standards sits with the employer. This course is accredited by WorkSafe and FAIB, and meets the requirements of the Regulations and L74. Our guide on how to verify a first aid training provider covers exactly what employers should check before booking with any provider.

Related Courses

Book or Enquire

To book First Aid at Work Training or request a quote for your team, use the enquiry form on this page or contact us directly. If you are unsure whether FAW or EFAW is the right qualification for your organisation, get in touch, and we will help you work that out before you commit.

Our Commitment to Quality and Compliance

At Prima Cura Training, all courses reflect current UK guidance and best practice.

All trainers are experienced professionals with relevant qualifications and ongoing CPD. Because many of the organisations we support work with vulnerable individuals, all trainers hold Enhanced DBS checks.

This course is reviewed against updates from the Resuscitation Council UK, the Health and Safety Executive, and current UK health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. All content reflects the Resuscitation Council UK 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines.

You can read more on our Quality Assurance and Compliance page.

Reviewed by Stephanie Austin, Owner and Lead Trainer, Prima Cura Training | 25+ years in health and social care | 15+ years as a trainer | Last reviewed: April 2026 | Next review: April 2027

This page is for general guidance only and reflects current UK health and safety legislation, HSE guidance, and Resuscitation Council UK 2025 guidelines at the date of review. It does not constitute legal advice. Employers remain legally responsible for carrying out a first aid needs assessment, determining the appropriate level of first aid provision for their workplace, and ensuring their arrangements comply with the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981 and the Approved Code of Practice L74. The First Aid at Work qualification is appropriate where a first aid needs assessment determines that a full three-day course meets the needs of the workplace.

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First Aid at Work (3-Day)